Conversations to Improve Opioid Treatment Initiation

Aim 2 - Conversations Can Save Lives: TALKing About Buprenorphine & Methadone for Opioid Use Treatment Initiation (TALK ABOUT It)

Not applicable Interventional Baystate Medical Center · NCT06527820

This study is testing a new conversation tool to help emergency department patients with opioid use disorder start treatment with medications like buprenorphine and methadone.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment75 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorBaystate Medical Center Academic / other
Locations1 site (Springfield, Massachusetts)
Trial IDNCT06527820 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to enhance the initiation of medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) in emergency department patients by implementing a conversation aid called 'Talk About It.' The intervention focuses on fostering shared decision-making between patients and clinicians regarding the use of buprenorphine and methadone, which are effective treatments for OUD. Participants will be enrolled and followed before and after the intervention to assess its impact on medication initiation, adherence, and patient-reported outcomes. The goal is to meet patients where they are and improve access to life-saving treatment options.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are patients aged 16 and older who present with indications for medication initiation for opioid use disorder and are not currently on buprenorphine or methadone.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have opioid use disorder or are already receiving medication for opioid use disorder will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly increase the number of patients receiving effective treatment for opioid use disorder in emergency settings.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success with similar patient-centered approaches to addiction treatment, indicating potential for this intervention.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients aged 16 and older
* presenting with indications for Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) initiation (opioid overdose, opioid withdrawal, complications of injection opioid use, untreated OUD)
* not currently on buprenorphine or methadone (in the past 7 days).

(Buprenorphine is FDA approved for patients aged 16 and older, so 16- and 17-year-olds may be included with parental consent.)

Exclusion Criteria:

* No Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)
* already on MOUD

Where this trial is running

Springfield, Massachusetts

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Opioid Use Disordershared decision-makingdecision aidconversation aidpatient-centered careaddictionemergency medicine
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.